Ear clamp



March 4, 1952 J. J. CLEARY 2,587,966

EAR CLAMP Filed Oct. 30, 1950 2/2 /4/; E Fig.2

Fig.3 24

20 Jase 2h J C/eary l3 INVENTOR.

nnu v E 9 a i BY nm pwvM Patented Mar. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for use in the cutting of dogs ears. The primary object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which in its use will be as humane as possible, and which will enable those unskilled in the art to achieve professional results.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which will permit the base of the ear to be cut as near to the head as possible.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a device which may be eflicaciously and accurately positioned on the dogs car so as to obtain the precise cut desired.

Yet another important object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which will be light in weight and which will frictionally grip the ear of the dog in such a manner that the same will not be moved from its adjusted position by the dog shaking its head or the like, and which device will guide the cutting instrument in a single straight path, and which is adapted to be used with the conventional single edged safety razor blade.

A meritorious feature of the present invention resides in the fastening means employed to secure the opposite ends of the clamp plates together, and the registering elongated slots in the clamp plates which are disposed diagonally with respect to an imaginary straight line connecting the fastening means, so that the base of the car may be cut as close to the head as possible.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of registering elongated slots which will confine the movement of the cutting instrument, such as a single edged safety razor blade, to a single straight path of movement.

A final important feature to be specifically enumerated herein resides in the clamp plates being reduced in width intermediate their ends and the provision of openings in the clamp plates on opposite sides of the slots to materially reduce the weight of the device, such openings also serving the purpose of increasing the triotional engagement of the clamp plates with a dogs ear and cooperating with the lightness in are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a pair of the devices forming the subject matter of this invention in use on the ears of a dog, and ready for the application of the cutting instrument;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the present invention taken upon the plane of the section line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 15a side elevational view of the present invention.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, and in which the device forming the subject matter of the present invention is designated generally at M.

It will be understood that the device I0 is specifically adapted for the use of cutting the ears of certain breeds of dogs, such as boxers, Danes, Dobermans, etc. as is the customary practice. The device I0 is particularly well adapted for this purpose, and comprises a pair of complementary clamp plates [2 and I4, each of which is elongated, and as clearly shown in Figure 1 have concaved side edges l6 so as to reduce the plates in width intermediate their ends and to thereby lessen their weight.

Means is provided for adjustably clamping the opposite ends of the plates 12 and [4 together, which includes threaded bolts or screws l8 extending through the plate l2 and having their heads 20 non-rotatably secured to the plate H. The plate It is provided with suitable apertures 22 that slidably receive the screws [8 therethrough. A knurled thumb nut 24 is threaded on each of the screws I8 for urging the plates weight of the clamp plates to prevent the device I! and I together to clamp a dogs ear 26 therebetween.

It will be noted upon reference to Figure 1 that the fastening means formed of the screws l8, heads 20, and nuts 24 are disposed relatively at the diagonal opposite ends of the plates I2 and H. The plates l2 and [4 are provided with registering elongated slots 28 which extend substantially the entire length of the plates, and it is to be noted that the slots are diagonal with respect to an imaginary line connecting the fastening means at the opposite ends of the plates, so that in use the lower ends of the slots will be disposed on the ear 28 closely adjacent the juncture of the ear 28 with the head of the dog apparent as the following description proceeds, designated generally at N. The slots 28 are preferably on the order of two hundreds of an inch in width so as to slidably receive the edge of a safety razor blade therethrough, while not permitting the thickened edge of a single edged razor blade therethrough.

' The plates 12 and M are provided with a plurality of registering openings 32 disposed on the opposite sides of the slots 28 which progressively increase in diameter towards the opposite extremities of the plates, suchopenings 32 being for the purpose of reducing the weight of the plates, and for also supplementing the frictional engagement of the plates I2 and M with the ear 26. It will be seen that the lightness of the plates afforded by the openings 32 and the cutting away of the opposite side edges of the plates coupled with the fact that the openings 32 increase the frictional engagement of the plates with the ear assures the retention of thedevice on the dogs ear even when the head is shaken.

The use of the present invention will be readily understood. With the nuts 24 loosened, the plates l2 and M are disposed on the opposite sides of the dogs ear 26, and the slots 28 disposed along the line of the intended cut, it being noted that the openings 32 also afford a means for visually assuring uniformity 'inthe positioning of the devices on the dogs ears. The nuts 24 are then tightened, and abutting instrument such as a razor blade, not shown, is inserted through the slots and swiftly drawn throughout the entire length of the latter. It is to be noted that the portion of the ear cut off is retained in its normal position until entirely severed, and is then only removed upon loosening the nuts 24 and removing the device from the animals head. It will also be noted that a straight line out is assured, so that a single swift stroke of the razor blade is sufficient to complete the operation with a minimum of pain to the animal.

It will be appreciated that the present invention, while being highly eflicient and durable for the purposes intended, will be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. and easy to use. While the same is preferably constructed of stainless steel, it will be readily seen that the same will lend itself to fabrication from -many other materials.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but.

all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the claimed as new is: v

1. A device for use in the cutting of dog ears comprising a pair of elongated clamp plates adapted to receive the ear of a dog therebetween, adjustable fastening means securing the opposite ends of the plates together, said plates having registering elongated slots for the reception of a razor blade therethrough for guiding the same, one of said plates having a plurality of openings therethrough to one side of the slot to increase the frictional retention of the plate on the ear of a, dog when the fastening means are tightened.

2. A device for use in the cutting of dog ears comprising a pair of elongated clamp plates adapted to receive the ear of a dog therebetween, adjustable fastening means securing the opposite ends of the plates together, said plates having registering elongated slots for the reception of a razor blade therethrough for guiding the same, said slots extending substantially the entire length of the plates and being disposed diagonal to and crossing an imaginary straight line connecting the fastening means.

3. A device for use in the cutting of dog ears comprising a, pair of elongated clamp plates adapted to receive the ear of a dog therebetween, adjustable fastening means securing the opposite ends of the plates together, said plates having registering elongated slots for the reception of a razor blade therethrough for guiding the same, said slots extending substantially the entire length of the plates and being disposed diagonal to and crossing an imaginary straight line connecting the fastening means, one of said plates having a plurality of openings therethrough to one side of the slot to increase the frictional retention of the plate on the ear of a dog.

JOSEPH J. CLEARY.

invention, what is REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

